Welcome back to Episode #47 of The Daily Interaction podcast. This episode brings you the best of my networking tips as we explore How to Network at Events. I want to share with you fun networking tips, and bring the FUN back in it even as we do it with the utmost professionalism. I share practical tips that are going to make your next networking event the MOST fun event on your social calendar, so get ready!
Networking at events scares the living daylights out of most people and this can really hurt your business and even your personal goals, because connecting with others is part of life! Networking does not have to be a nerve-wracking prospect! This is just a gathering of people who come together to share ideas and food in the course of fun conversations. You generally speak the same language, and if it’s an international event, your organizers can always use professional translations to make communication possible between the attendees.
I realize that some of this is easier said than done, and I do get slightly nervous when I attend a new event, and especially when I do not know any of the attendees. Then I remember that this is an incredible opportunity: meeting new people who may then connect me to even more new people, learning things I did not know and expanding both my network as well as my knowledge.
If you can let the positive thoughts take over, and see it both as fun and as a huge benefit to your life, perhaps you can begin to embrace the next networking event awaiting you because you will know how to network at events. Now we can get on with the networking tips I have for you in the podcast. Are you ready?
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Your Weekly Friday Show Notes:
1. The first topic on how to network at events is a simple one: relax! Because your body language gives away your secret if you are tense or uncomfortable, and have fun especially if you are not the speaker! Don’t forget this perspective.
2. How to set expectations for yourself in what you hope to accomplish in every networking event, so your time is well-spent and how to know if you are attending the RIGHT networking event in the first place. Every industry has its own niche. For instance, I have focused on networking with bloggers and social media experts in the last year.
3. A revision: Why connecting with people is valuable? First, let’s establish that before you run off to the next networking event.
4. What is your body language saying to everyone at the event? How do you show that you are open rather than close? How can you become approachable? Why there is nothing to lose in making eye contact and smiling to people?
5. The art of managing your business cards. How to be fully expressed, and why the best thing to do is to always ask for business cards rather than handing yours out first? And what kind of picture to put on your business card?
6. How to move around and about in the space that the networking event is held, and how to enter and exit conversations smoothly?
7. Things to avoid and how to be respectful and present during the conversations with each person and how one true connection can go further than many half-true ones!
8. How to really think about networking and why the process is not a linear one. If you think of it this way, you are going to miss the whole point!
REMEMBER: Podcasting can be a huge boon to your business, blog and personal message to the world. Start podcasting the right way, I learned EVERYTHING about my podcasting from Cliff at Podcasting A to Z course. He is giving my readers $100 off with the code: Prolific. The class starts in July!
Are you fond of networking with people at events? Do you have some killer tips to share on how to network at events? Do tell in the comments and do share the podcast if you know someone else will find it useful!
I am Farnoosh, the founder of Prolific Living. So glad you are here. My mission is to empower you to unblock your creative genius to live your dream life.